Welcome To Our Website

My City

When I was 18 years old two of my friends and I took a road trip to visit the four corners of the United States. That’s when I first visited Seattle. I liked it just fine until I sipped some locally grown, freshly brewed coffee while watching the sunset from the Smith Tower with my loved ones. Then I fell in love. After I earned my teaching certification I left home (but to this day my mother says I ran away) to settle in Seattle for good. Seattle is less than 150 years old but it’s already so rich in culture. Being a port city, it has some of the best seafood in the world. Seattleites love to eat. You can’t turn your head without seeing a steakhouse or a restaurant selling either sushi or Italian food. Probably my favorite place to catch a bite is Lucky’s Diner over on 1st Ave. I’m a teacher; I don’t make a lot of money. But every meal at Lucky’s is well-made and affordable. I get a different dish every time I go! And don’t get me started on the coffee! New York has pizza, Philadelphia has cheese steaks and Seattle has coffee. Starbucks was founded here as were Tully’s and Seattle’s Best (but that last one was probably pretty obvious). We are so famous for the quality of our coffee that some credit Seattle with America’s café culture. more

Gardening

I have two competing loves in my life, each fighting the other every day of every year. I love gardening. I love the feel of the soil, the joy I get preparing produce I grew right out in the backyard. In most cases, this would mean I spend my days out in the dirt, trimming and pruning, reveling in my efforts to reduce my carbon footprint and eat some good food. The problem is, I also love Seattle. Rainy, cold Seattle. In Seattle, April showers bring May, June, and July showers, with about an hour and a half of summer somewhere in there.

But I will not be kept down! Yes, I have a garden out back where, come March, I battle the westerlies. I fertilize and plant and hurry inside before the hypothermia sets in. Once spring and summer set in, I can be found out in the garden at least once a day to check on progress and maintain a healthy garden. Of course, I never end up with any record breaking eggplant or cucumbers. My asparagus might be found wanting and little more can be said for my tomatoes, but I don’t do it for the food. Not really. If I wanted to, I could pretty easily afford to go to the supermarket and buy produce, probably bigger, more impressive produce. To me, though, that would be missing the point. I garden both as a social statement and because I just plain enjoy it. more

Reading

As a teacher, I am constantly asked what books I recommend. I’ve read hundreds of books over the years and I’m pretty good at suggesting the right book for the right person. However, you’re reading my website right now and I don’t know who you are. I can’t recommend. Instead, I’m going to tell you what my favorite books are with a brief description of each plot. If it seems like your type of reading, give it a try. Be sure to e-mail me afterward with your interpretation. I love taking new perspectives on old titles. Plus it gives me an excuse to read them again J. more